Compton, CA rapper Coolio first came in to the scene as a part of Tha Maad Circle along with W.C. and his brother DJ Crazy Toones. According to Coolio, he was forced to start a solo career after his group-mates left to go on tour with Ice Cube and he was left off. If Coolio […]

For many upcoming MC’s it seems getting offered that highly sought after recording contract equates to hitting the Rap jackpot. While a feat such as signing on the dotted line is not something to sneeze at, it sure does not guarantee a fast track to stardom. Ask Curren$y; the New Orleans protégé has been down […]

It’s hard to tell what Nas is really thinking right now. From walking the beaten path of complaints yet again over his now Untitled album title to watching el Presidente Hov exit Def Jam to pursue the next phase of his career, Nas has a lot to question. The only thing Nasir Jones knows for […]

David Banner knows about struggle. Since his last album, 2005’s Certified, the rapper/activist had to deal with the traumatic effects of Hurricane Katrina on his native Mississippi, attacks on Hip-Hop from the federal government, and his father’s death from cancer in 2007. Despite these hardships and thoughts of retirement, Banner has persevered. He was one […]

Yes, you are going to compare him to that White guy from Detroit. But moving on, in this early stage of his rhyme career Asher Roth is displaying the chops to carve out a spot in the Hip-Hop space. Hailing from Morrisville, PA, the pale skinned MC has a DJ Drama and Don Cannon endorsed […]

CANADA WEEK 2008 They say the city is an urban jungle.  Both environments are volatile, dog-eat-dog.   Mayhem Morearty, hailing from Toronto’s Lawrence Heights area —actually dubbed “Jungle City”— has clawed into the GTA’s hip-hop scene and pounced on success like its prey. As with many, Mayhem Morearty treats his lyrics-writing cathartically and uses his life’s […]

It is one of the most anticipated albums in Hip-Hop…right up there with Detox. Just the thought of Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II has had Hip-Hop fans waiting on edge. So of course when word got out that the Wu-Tang’s own Chef would be working with the Doctor, results were – mixed. On […]

Method Man’s music, both solo and with Wu-Tang Clan, has garnered him icon status in Hip-Hop, while his acting career introduced him to mainstream audiences.   It may seem like yesterday to some, but Method Man actually appeared in two movies (187 with Samuel L. Jackson and Cop Land with Sylvester Stallone and Robert DeNiro) […]

An era is defined as a significant period in history.  But what signifies an era?  War?  Prosperity? A change in the old ways?  For Toronto, and Hip-Hop in Canada in general, JD Era may represent all of those things.  Battle tested veteran, self produced artist and occasional ghostwriter, JD Era is one of the hardest […]

Robert Diggs is a visionary. Ten years ago the MC/Producer and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan known as The RZA reinvented himself as a binary masked superhero called Bobby Digital. Almost a decade later the world couldn’t be more to Bobby’s style. Cars drive around with digital ports to plug in encoded music and […]

CANADA WEEK 2008 “Doing great” is a position STILL relatively unheard of in the Canadian Hip-Hop bizz.   Nova Scotia’s Classified however, a name steadily hot on everyone’s tongue throughout his almost 15 year career, can realistically boast the status.  Steady on the grind in mind and time, Class has spent more than the last decade […]

ALLHIPHOP CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCEDelivering the truth in both context and lyrical poise is Staten Island wordsmith NYOIL. Not a mainstream rapper by any means, his truth to ear lyrical approach  spurns unworthy MCs that fluster the mainstream Hip-Hop scene. The rapper’s candor, and lyrical skills, has warranted him the label of a man not to be […]

CANADA WEEK 2008   Nobody is promised tomorrow, and if the upcoming album Not 4 Sale were to be Kardinal Offishall’s last living representation, he’d be content with what he’s delivering the Hip Hop nation. Under Akon’s now established Konvict Muzik and with the hit singer/songwriter executive producing the project, there’s no doubt Jason Harrow […]

As if following some imaginary script, from ’04 –’07, artists began to fall in line with their roles, Kanye West became the kid in school destined for greatness, but was way too concerned with his greatness, 50 Cent took on the title as the Hip-Hop bully who can’t help but still be charismatic and popular, […]

When you hear legendary Hip-Hop artists 8 Ball &       you should immediately think of a few things. There is the chronicling of their “Space Age Pimpin’” lifestyles, their badge of putting Memphis, TN Hip-Hop on the map or their steadyfast resolve at only delivering their brand of raw Hip-Hop music despite watered down […]

The Game is not retiring from the rap game. Well, he did not exactly say that during this interview, but if you read between the lines it’s pretty obvious L.A.X. is not going to be Game’s final curtain call. Kind of like Nas declaring Hip-Hop is dead in 2006, only to be dropping another album […]

2000-2003 introduced the question of what Hip-Hop had to offer in the new millennium. Hip-Hop already had a stronghold over music charts but there was still unfinished business. New artists were striving to claim their spot in rap history while veteran rappers were steadily revamping their sound and showboating their newfound lyrical growth. Who could […]

Immortal Technique is a revolutionary. That title is heavy load to carry, but the Harlem born MC wears that badge with pride. A consequence of Tech’s insistence on actually walking the walk is that his fans have gone four plus long years since he dropped his last album, the searing Revolutionary, Vol. 2. Though it […]

In 2008 you can find the lesser-known third member of OutKast, David “Mr. DJ” Sheats, doing grown man things. Whether that means exercising his green thumb outside in the yard or sweating in the kitchen getting his chef on, it’s all about maintaining his peace of mind. Tonight he’s multitasking a meal of basil chicken, […]

It is one thing to come into the Rap industry as an astute pupil of the game; knowing the history and always paying respect to those who came before you. It is another when kids jump into the business clearly for reasons other than the love, in turn representing the culture incorrectly. The latter are […]